Category: 5. Entertainment

The jury in the high-profile federal sex-trafficking and racketeering conspiracy trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs resumed deliberations on Tuesday morning, after spending more than five hours weighing the charges on Monday without reaching a verdict.

Combs, 55, was arrested in September and faces five felony counts: one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and denies all of the accusations against him.

If convicted, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison.

The 12-member jury – composed of eight men and four women – began deliberating on Monday following closing arguments that concluded last week and detailed instructions from the judge.

Roughly an hour into deliberations on Monday, jurors sent a note to the court raising concerns about one of the jurors – Juror 25 – stating that they believed that the juror “cannot follow your honor’s instructions”.

Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing the case, responded to the jurors with a note reminding them of their duty to deliberate and obligation to follow his instructions on the law. He also instructed them to refrain from sharing any details about their discussions in future notes.

Before adjourning for the day, the jury sent another note to the court, this time requesting clarification on what qualifies as drug distribution – an allegation tied to the racketeering conspiracy charge. The judge said he would respond on Tuesday morning.

In total, the jury deliberated for five and a half hours on Monday without reaching a verdict, and adjourned at 5pm ET. They resumed deliberations on Tuesday morning.

Prosecutors allege that for more than two decades, Combs led a criminal enterprise – aided by employees and associates – that engaged in and worked to cover up a range of crimes including sex trafficking, kidnapping, forced labor, drug distribution, arson and bribery, enticement to engage in prostitution and obstruction of justice.

Central to the government’s case are accusations that Combs used violence, intimidation, money, threats and power to force and coerce two of his former girlfriends into participating in highly orchestrated drug-fueled sex marathons with hired male escorts, known as “freak-offs”.

Throughout the seven-week trial, the defense maintained that all sexual encounters were consensual and part of what they described as a “swingers lifestyle”. They argued that no criminal conspiracy existed and that Combs was being unfairly prosecuted for his “private” and “personal” sex life.

His lawyers have acknowledged past instances of domestic violence, but they have denied any acts of sex trafficking or coercion.

The trial began on 12 May, and jurors heard testimony from 34 witnesses, including two of Combs’s former girlfriends, multiple former employees and assistants, several male escorts, stylists, hotel workers, law enforcement agents and well-known figures such as the rapper Kid Cudi and singer Dawn Richard, among others.

A Devon 17-year-old is preparing for a 1,000-mile (about 1,600km) walk and cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

Skye, from Rockbeare, near Exeter, is starting the journey on 5 July in memory of her brother Ryan, who took his own life at the age of 27.

The goal is to raise funds for Andy’s Man Club, a charity dedicated to providing mental health support for men.

Accompanying her on parts of the journey will be her 10-month-old Springer Spaniel, Nova.

Ryan, the youngest of Skye’s three older brothers, was known for his kindness, humour, and passion, said Skye.

He had also participated in a charity boxing match for Andy’s Man Club in memory of a friend who had passed away.

Despite his struggles with mental health, which he often kept from his younger siblings to protect them, Ryan’s legacy continued to inspire Skye, she said.

“Losing Ryan was a pain that my family and I will never be able to explain and it affected us all differently,” she said.

“Andy’s Man Club was very close to Ryan’s heart.”

Skye’s mother, Yvonne, will also be supporting her daughter throughout the journey.

“We’re hoping to meet Skye at various points along the route and walk back towards her,” she said.

“Once we get to Cornwall and Devon, I’ll join her for much of the coastal path.”

LONDON — Rap-punk duo Bob Vylan on Tuesday rejected claims of antisemitism over onstage comments at the Glastonbury Festival that triggered a police investigation and sparked criticism from politicians, the BBC and festival organizers.

The band said in a statement that it was being “targeted for speaking up” about the war in Gaza.

Police are investigating whether a crime was committed when frontman Bob Vylan led the audience in chants of “Death to the IDF” — the Israel Defense Forces — during the band’s set at the festival in southwest England on Saturday.

The British government called the chants “appalling hate speech” and the BBC said it regretted livestreaming the “antisemitic sentiments.” U.S. authorities revoked the musicians’ visas.

Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has inflamed tensions around the world, triggering pro-Palestinian protests in many capitals and on college campuses. Israel and some supporters have described the protests as antisemitic, while critics say Israel uses such descriptions to silence opponents.

In a statement on Instagram, Bob Vylan said: “We are not for the death of jews, arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. … A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.”

Alleging that “we are a distraction from the story,” the duo added: “We are being targeted for speaking up.”

The BBC is under pressure to explain why it did not cut the feed of the performance after the anti-IDF chants. Britain’s Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said “the airing of vile Jew-hatred” by the BBC was a moment of “national shame.”

“It should trouble all decent people that now, one need only couch their outright incitement to violence and hatred as edgy political commentary, for ordinary people to not only fail to see it for what it is, but also to cheer it, chant it and celebrate it,” he wrote on X.

Avon and Somerset Police said it is investigating Bob Vylan’s performance, along with that by Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, whose pro-Palestinian stance has also attracted controversy. Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged under Britain’s Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London last year.

Since the war began in October 2023 with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people, Israel has killed more than 56,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

PA Media

PA Media

This year Crayola is celebrating creativity through color and the deeply personal role color plays in connecting us to the past and inspiring them anew. Following the resounding success of the Limited Edition Retired Color Collection – where nostalgic colors like Dandelion, Blizzard Blue and Magic Mint are making a triumphant return for a limited time – Crayola is eager to discover what other beloved Crayola colors hold a special place in consumers’ hearts with the Global Color Vote.

“Color is part of one’s identity: who we are, how we feel, how we live our lives,” said Pete Ruggiero, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crayola. “With this global color vote, Crayola will bring innovation to the market that directly reflects the global consumer. People around the world will have the unique opportunity to influence a special collection of crayons, colored pencils, and markers based on the colors that mean the most to them.”

According to a 2024 Color Perception Survey conducted by Crayola in partnership with the Ad Council Research Institute, color rates as the most impactful element in planning important milestones, symbolizing meaningful aspects of life, and describing something as beautiful or unique by more than 88% of respondents. These emotional ties to color also lend themselves to self-expression as 87% of those surveyed believe color significantly impacts creativity.

“The 2025 Global Color Vote celebrates the incredible power that color has to connect us to our emotions and memories, to unite us, and to help us creatively express our feelings, thoughts and ideas,” says Victoria Lozano, Chief Marketing Officer at Crayola. “We’re excited to see which colors resonate most deeply with people around the world and bring those meaningful hues together to encourage more creative moments and colorful memories.”

To become a part of Crayola history, color enthusiasts of all ages can cast their votes from now until Sept. 30, 2025 by visiting www.crayola.com/votenow or scanning QR codes on the back of Crayola “What’s Your Favorite Color” products – 24-count crayons, 12-count colored pencils, 10-count broad and fine line markers or 8-count washable watercolors.

Teachers, parents, and kids can find their favorite Crayola back-to-school products at retailers nationwide for the same exceptional value they’ve come to rely on. Consumers can also purchase bulk packs of top list items to help provide much needed supplies that support learning in the classroom. For added nostalgia and colorful fun, shoppers have the opportunity to supplement their baskets with Limited Edition Retired Color Collection items before they go back into retirement.

Color Perception Survey Methodology Findings from a nationwide study conducted by Crayola in partnership with the Ad Council Research Institute from October 16-23, 2024, with 1,503 parents of kids aged 2-12.

About Crayola
Whether it’s providing tools to put a purple octopus on the moon, helping create family memories or enabling teachers to bring arts-infused learning into the classroom, Crayola is passionate about helping parents and educators raise creatively alive children. The company has inspired creativity in children for over 120 years, creating an expansive portfolio of innovative art tools and learning resources, crafting activities, toys and digital platforms, live action and animation content, and location-based experiences allowing children of all ages to color their world in imaginative ways. Through its work, Crayola sees a world where the inherent creativity of children is fully nurtured into adulthood, helping all kids reach their full potential. For more information visit www.Crayola.com or join the conversation at www.Facebook.com/Crayola.

 Media Contact: Jaclyn Giuliano, [email protected] 

SOURCE Crayola

The return of Charlize Theron’s band of immortals; another behind the scenes glimpse at the lives of NFL quarterbacks; a brand-new music talent series featuring one of Liam Payne’s final TV appearances; the conclusion of The Sandman‘s story; a potential breakout Korean thriller; and the long-awaited return of Happy Gilmore are some of the highlights among the new films and series hitting Netflix in July.

One of Netflix’s big movie plays for July is the sequel to its very silly but very fun action fantasy film The Old Guard. Debuting on July 2, the Victoria Mahoney-directed film once again sees Charlize Theron playing Andromache of Scythia, aka Andy, the leader of a band of vigilante immortals. In The Old Guard 2, following on from the climax of the first film, Andy must come to terms with her newfound mortality while preparing to face a mysterious foe (played by Uma Thurman). The cast includes returnees KiKi Layne, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Matthias Schoenaerts and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and newcomers Thurman and Henry Golding.

Quarterback, the sports docuseries, is back for its second season this month, debuting on July 8. The show, produced by Netflix in partnership with NFL Films, 2PM Productions, and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, is in the vein of the streamer’s phenomenally successful Drive to Survive docuseries. Season one of Quarterback followed Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota through the 2022 season. Season two will see Cousins return, this time as a member of the Atlanta Falcons, with Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions.

On July 9, Netflix debuts its new music competition series, Building the Band. The show was notably the last television appearance of the late One Direction singer Liam Payne, who died tragically in October 2024. Before his death, Payne recorded episodes as a guest judge on the series that is hosted by Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, with Nicole Scherzinger (The Pussycat Dolls) serving as mentor-judge and Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland also serving as a guest judge. Following Payne’s death, the show’s producers and Payne’s family were weighing his inclusion in the series. Ultimately, they have decided to move forward with Payne remaining in the show.

Launching in three parts over the month of July is the second and final season of The Sandman, the fantasy series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s iconic graphic novels. Despite stellar reviews and decent ratings for season one, the followup and indeed the very existence of a second season hung in the balance as Gaiman was accused of sexual assault by five women in July 2024, and by four more women in January 2025. The second season will conclude the story for Dream (played by Tom Sturridge), the show’s central character and part one will debut on July 3, with part two on July 24 with a special episode concluding things on July 31. Season two will feature a number of fan-favorite characters reprising their roles, including Mason Alexander Park as Desire, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer, Vivienne Acheampong as Lucienne, and Patton Oswalt as the voice of Matthew the Raven. Jenna Coleman, Donna Preston, Esmé Creed-Miles, Adrian Lester, Barry Sloane, Ferdinand Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Razane Jammal, Ruairi O’Connor, Freddie Fox, Clive Russell, Laurence O’Fuarain, Ann Skelly, Douglas Booth, Jack Gleeson, Indya Moore, and Steve Coogan also appear.

A potential breakout film for Netflix this month could be the Korean psychological thriller Wall to Wall, which debuts on July 18. In demand filmmaker Kim Tae-joon, who wrote and directed the disturbing tech thriller Unlocked for the streamer, is back with another feature that is sure to linger with its audience. According to the logline, Wall to Wall is about “Woo-sung, a financially burdened homeowner who struggles to find sleep and peace in what should be his dream home. When all his neighbors accuse him of being the source of the noise, he sets out to find the source himself and prove his innocence.”

The other big Hollywood film release for Netflix in July, and the feature most likely to shoot up the top 10 list and dominate social media, is the sequel to Adam Sandler’s classic and endlessly quotable golf comedy Happy Gilmore. The first film, released all the way back in 1996, featured Sandler as a failed hockey player with a knack for booming golf drives, and the Kyle Newacheck-directed sequel sees Happy picking up his clubs once more to pay for his daughter’s school fees. As well as Sandler, Julie Bowen, Christopher “Shooter McGavin” McDonald, and Ben Stiller reprise their roles from the original film while Benny Safdie and Bad Bunny are newcomers. Happy Gilmore 2 debuts on July 25.

Movies added to Netflix in July include Blow, Born on the Fourth of July, Captain Phillips, The Deer Hunter, Friday Night Lights, Here Comes the Boom, The Hitman’s Bodyguard, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Horrible Bosses, The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid, The Karate Kid Part II, The Karate Kid Part III, Mission: Impossible, Mission: Impossible II, Mission: Impossible III, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, The Notebook, Pacific Rim, The Sweetest Thing, Tangerine, V for Vendetta, White Chicks, Jaws, Jaws 2, Jaws 3 and Jaws: The Revenge.

Read on for the complete list of titles hitting Netflix in March.

July 1

Attack on London: Hunting The 7/7 Bombers (GB)
Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel (GB)
17 Again
Annie (1982)
Blow
Born on the Fourth of July
Captain Phillips
The Deer Hunter
Friday Night Lights
Here Comes the Boom
The Hitman’s Bodyguard
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
Horrible Bosses
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid Part II
The Karate Kid Part III
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Mom: Seasons 1-8
The Notebook
Pacific Rim
PAW Patrol Seasons 2-3
Portlandia: Seasons 1-8
The Sweetest Thing
Tangerine
V for Vendetta
White Chicks
Yellowjackets: Season 2
Zathura: A Space Adventure

July 2

The Old Guard 2
Tour de France: Unchained: Season 3 (GB)

July 3

Countdown: Taylor vs. Serrano
Mr. Robot: Seasons 1-4
The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 1

July 4

All the Sharks

July 5

The Summer Hikaru Died (JP)

July 8

A Star Is Born (2018)
Better Late Than Single (KR)
Nate Jackson: Super Funny
Quarterback: Season 2
Sullivan’s Crossing: Seasons 1-2
Trainwreck: The Real Project X (GB)

July 9

Building The Band
The Gringo Hunters (MX)
Mad Max: Fury Road
Under a Dark Sun (FR)
Ziam (TH)

July 10

7 Bears (FR)
Brick (DE)
Leviathan (JP)
Off Road (IL)
Sneaky Pete: Seasons 1-3
Too Much (GB)

July 11

Aap Jaisa Koi (IN)
Almost Cops (NL)
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3
Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Destination Wedding

July 14

Apocalypse in the Tropics (BR)
SAKAMOTO DAYS: Season 1 Part 2 (JP)

July 15

Entitled: Season 1
Jaws
Jaws 2
Jaws 3
Jaws: The Revenge
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy (GB)

July 16

Amy Bradley Is Missing
Mamma Mia!
Wanted

July 17

Catalog (EG)
Community Squad: Season 2 (AR)
UNTAMED

July 18

Almost Family (BR)
Delirium (CO)
I’m Still a Superstar (ES)
Superstar (ES)
Vir Das: Fool Volume (IN)
Wall to Wall (KR)

July 19

Eight for Silver

July 21

The Hunting Wives: Season 1
The Steve Harvey Show: Seasons 1-6

July 22

Trainwreck: P.I. Moms (GB)

July 23

Critical: Between Life and Death (GB)
Hightown: Seasons 1-3
House of Lies: Seasons 1-5
Letters From The Past (TR)

July 24

A Normal Woman (ID)
Hitmakers
My Melody & Kuromi (JP)
The Sandman: Season 2 Volume 2

July 25

Happy Gilmore 2
Trigger (KR)
The Winning Try (KR)

July 28

The Lazarus Project: Seasons 1-2

July 29

Dusty Slay: Wet Heat
Trainwreck: Storm Area 51 (GB)
WWE: Unreal

July 30

Conversations with a Killer: The Son of Sam Tapes
Unspeakable Sins (MX)

July 31

An Honest Life (SE)
Glass Heart
Leanne
Marked (ZA)
The Sandman: Season 2: Special Episode

The unique partnership will showcase the distinctive heritage and charm of three iconic North American properties within The Luxury Collection’s portfolio through a creative lens.

BETHESDA, Md., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces a partnership with Michael McGregor, the Los Angeles-based artist celebrated for his striking and vibrant depictions of everyday life. In his first collaboration with a global hotel brand, McGregor has partnered with The Luxury Collection to create a bespoke series of original drawings that celebrate the local charm and culture of three of the portfolio’s most esteemed North American properties: Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco; Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis; and Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah. This exclusive collaboration reinforces the brand’s commitment to providing guests with immersive experiences that capture the soul and cultural vibrancy of each destination, seen through the unique lens of global creatives.

Known for exploring themes of luxury, leisure, and travel with expressive style, McGregor was inspired by his personal experiences at the three hotels to create one-of-a-kind artworks that reflect the identity and locale of each destination. Whether capturing the Gilded Age opulence of Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco, the flourishing arts and design scene surrounding Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis, or the romance and historic charm of Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah, McGregor’s drawings translate each hotel’s sense-of-place with his signature whimsy.

“At The Luxury Collection, we are passionate about unearthing the authentic essence of a destination and creating moments of discovery that resonate long after guests depart,” said Bruce Rohr, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “Michael McGregor’s talent for distilling the spirit of a place with unmistakable character and flair beautifully encapsulates this mission. His drawings are artistic celebrations of personal exploration. In the same spirit, we hope to inspire our guests to discover and fall in love with the destinations they visit in their own unique ways.”

The drawings will also be integrated into the guest journey at these select hotels through bespoke guest collateral and visual storytelling elements including welcome notes and amenity cards that evoke a deep sense of place. Additionally, a curated box set of postcards featuring five of McGregor’s illustrations will be available for purchase at participating properties and online, offering guests a timeless memento of their stays.

To further bring the collaboration to life, each of the three hotels will offer bespoke guest programming inspired by McGregor’s artistic process and his whimsical approach to capturing a sense of place. At Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco, guests will be invited to join Sketches Through Time, a guided walking tour through the hotel’s historic spaces culminating in a sketching session led by a local artist. Using custom sketch kits and materials, guests will be encouraged to interpret the property’s iconic architectural and cultural details that inspired Michael himself.

Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah and Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis will also introduce interactive sketching activations celebrating local creativity and personal expression. At the rooftop bar Peregrin at Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah, the Sketch & Sip event will invite guests to create their own illustrations of Savannah while enjoying the lively atmosphere. Guests’ artworks will then be shared on social media for a friendly competition, with the lucky winner receiving a postcard set, gift card to Peregrin, and a complimentary one-night stay at the hotel. Meanwhile, Hotel Ivy, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Minneapolis, will also host a sketching class led by local artists. Held within the hotel’s skyway system, guests will reimagine impressive views of the Ziggurat-inspired Ivy Tower and downtown Minneapolis skyline. These activations will offer guests thoughtful moments of connection and creativity – an extension of Michael’s belief in approaching travel with an observational and curious spirit.

“I find inspiration in the quiet observations of everyday life and the freedom to explore at my own pace, so travel has always been a driving force in my creative process. Partnering with The Luxury Collection is a natural fit, as the brand’s approach to travel resonates with my own, both valuing curiosity and the thrill of unexpected discoveries,” said Michael McGregor. “The hotels I visited were as unique as the destinations they inhabited, with stories and characters waiting to be uncovered. It’s been a fulfilling artistic endeavor to share my perspectives on these remarkable places and bring them to life through my drawings.”

The postcard set will be available to purchase online at TheLuxuryCollectionStore.com and on property at select locations.

ABOUT THE LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELS & RESORTS
The Luxury Collection^® is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA^® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of over 120 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in over 40 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy^®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

ABOUT MARRIOTT BONVOY
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques^®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

ABOUT MICHAEL MCGREGOR
Michael McGregor is a Los Angeles-based artist known for his distinctive, wide-eyed renderings that transform traditional subject matter into vibrant, thought-provoking works, with a focus on still life. His illustrations, often inspired by themes of luxury, travel, and leisure, have been featured on hotel stationery and in various lifestyle publications. In 2024, McGregor released Hotel Sketches: Capturing Moments of Travel and Leisure, a coffee table book that compiles his most iconic works, offering a visual journey through the nuances of travel and the beauty of everyday life.

SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.